Professional & Organizational Development

Organizational efficiency

Is your unit or department focused on improving organizational efficiency? Whether your efforts are focused on specific and discrete processes or broad and far-reaching organizational complexities, working with a consultant may improve the pace, efficacy and long-term success of your efforts.

Organizational restructuring

As teams and departments evolve, they may reach a point where organizational goals and resources need to be realigned with existing or anticipated personnel. In the best cases, a reorganization occurs in an objective manner based on an organization’s needs and goals.

The consultant’s role in this process could include:

  • Objectively observing and making recommendations about the optimal staff structure to meet the organization’s goals and resources
  • Identifying and analyzing the processes, procedures, methods, and activities the organization undertakes to achieve its results
  • Conducting interviews, focus groups, or other such surveys to ensure that the perspectives of those who might be affected by a restructure are taken into account
  • Linking the organization’s leaders to resources that can aid in decision making
  • Coaching the organizational leader in determining and implementing the best structure

Through its University Consulting Alliance, POD has access to numerous consultants who have experience with both higher education and organizational restructuring.

Process improvement

Due to technology and institutional change, work practices are constantly shifting and leaders must ensure we’re using the systems and people within our organizations effectively. Process improvement efforts vary widely and can include reducing the time needed to perform certain functions, cutting costs, or enhancing the quality of a service.

The consultant’s role in this process could include:

  • Objectively analyzing specific processes, procedures, methods, or activities and helping to identify areas in need of improvement
  • Providing methods to measure and map current processes
  • Facilitating meetings and activities that will assist in looking at different ways of doing business
  • Developing new and improved processes

Through its University Consulting Alliance, POD has access to more than a dozen external consultants who have experience with both higher ed and process improvement, including several certified in Lean/Six Sigma.

Change management

Successful change management balances people and process. A change management consultant can help create both well-laid plans and sustainable realities.

The consultant’s role could include:

  • Coaching and guiding a leader in various aspects of instituting a change
  • Analyzing the reasons for the change
  • Ensuring that the change is necessary and beneficial
  • Making the best of an imposed change
  • Planning for the implementation of the change
  • Communicating the change
  • Providing tools and suggestions to build buy-in and input for the change
  • Ensuring that the effects on staff, their workload, and stress level are addressed and that there is a plan for sustaining the change

Through its University Consulting Alliance, POD has access to more than two dozen internal and external consultants who have experience with both higher education and organizational change.